If you’re honest with yourself, how’s your sleep schedule going right now? Let’s see if this scenario sounds familiar — you only slept for 6 hours last night, so tonight, you’ll aim to hop in bed an hour earlier. Yet, you still feel tired in the morning. When the weekend comes, you sleep in, but you’re still tired. It’s like you can never feel rested, no matter how much sleep you get. I’ve been there, and I know how frustrating that can feel.
Lack of sleep accounts for so many unpleasant things, such as a lower immune system, extreme fatigue, irritability, etc. I know you don’t want to experience these things, just as much as I don’t want to experience them. There are a few things we can tweak to give ourselves the space to experience better sleep, and I want to share with you some ways that have helped me.
– Cool it with the eating
Aim to put the fork down 2-4 hours before you hit the hay. This will give your body ample time to digest, so that when you get in bed, your body can rest, too.
– Turn out those lights
I’m sure you turn your bedroom lights out when you go to bed, but you can also strive to ditch the blue lights from your devices, as well. Try to put the devices down at least 30 minutes before you tuck yourself in — it’s incredible the difference you’ll feel, and it’s especially helpful with slowing your mind down in the process.
– Make it colder
There’s a reason you sleep better in a colder room. Your blood flows to your skin and away from your core. This lowers your core temperature and allows you to fall asleep with ease. What’s better than snuggling up under your favorite blanket to drift off to sleep?
– Use your bedroom as intended
Don’t bring your movies into the bedroom, piles of work, or your iPad to scan Pinterest. Use your bedroom for sleep, and your body will begin to associate it with sleep, making it easier for you to slip off into dreamland.
– Go to bed earlier each day
Most of us stay up too late. Correct this habit by going to bed sooner and earlier each night until you get to your desired bedtime. You’ll wake up feeling much more refreshed, and the baby step method will be easier than attempting a complete overhaul of habits overnight.
– Step into the light
Another surprising fact about sleep is that if you get moving with some exercise and expose yourself to real daylight in the morning, it can help to reset your circadian rhythm. Try it for a week, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you’re sleeping at night. Even a brisk walk around the block will do — start with whatever you can swing, and grow from there.
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